The Breaking Wheel

Chapter 57: Scorched

Lawrence tentatively stepped into the infirmary, then slowly made his way through the rooms until he came to the one he was looking for. He took a deep breath, and opened the door.

The harsh glare of fluorescent lights was made worse by the stark white walls. The heavy smell of disinfectant made his nose burn and his eyes water. In the middle of the room was a sorry sight.

Molly was lying motionless. Bandages covered the left half of her face and a tube had been stuck into her lungs via a mask over her nose and mouth.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open. His heart twisted in his chest when he noticed the pain in them.

"Lawrence?" she whispered. Her voice was hoarse and raspy, and slightly distorted for some reason.

"I-I-I'm sorry if I disturbed you," he said quickly. He turned to leave before she spoke again.

"No... stay... please..."

He looked back, seeing her staring up at him. She'd stuck her unburned hand out from underneath the blanket covering her.

"I... I don't want to be alone," she croaked.

He signed and pulled a chair next to her. The absolutely pitiful look on her face ensured that there was simply no way he was going to refuse.

"Thank you," she said weakly as he took her hand.

"God, you're freezing!"

"Really? I can barely feel anything," she said, her voice, again, lowered to a whisper. "Other than pain," she added under her breath.

Lawrence let go of her hand and began to gently stroke her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned her head into his hand.

When he finally had to leave she looked so much like a kicked puppy that he almost wished he'd been scorched by the flames himself. He kissed the back of her hand just before he left. 

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After Lawrence had left Dr. Collingwood cursed herself. She shouldn't have begged him to stay like that. If Naga found out that she still loved him, then all her efforts would be for nothing.